Proposed Ogdensburg economic development hire takes a back seat to city manager search

The addition of an economic development director to Ogdensburgs city staff has been delayed by the continuing search for a new city manager.

Mayor William D. Nelson, who made the proposed hire part of his platform for re-election in November, said the position may not be created at all.

We put money in the budget. We didnt actually state whether it is a position or it is a firm that is going to do it, he said Thursday. We put money in the budget for economic development, now that the dust has settled, well bring it up for discussion.

When the City Council was drafting its 2012 budget in December, Mr. Nelson requested an additional $35,000 in general fund spending be included in the 2012 budget to hire an economic development director for the city.

We eliminated the position a couple of years ago to save money and it has not been a success, he said at the time.

Outside of discussing how $70,000 for two economic development studies may best be used, the subject of economic development was lost in the shuffle, Councilor Wayne L. Ashley said.

I think we kind of got sidetracked on other issues, he said.

Indeed, most council members want to get the hiring of a new city manager out of the way before taking up the economic development issue, Councilor Jennifer Stevenson said.

At this point the city manager is the priority, and then a team that she can help build, Ms. Stevenson said. The problem is, we could start going in too many directions. A city manager is a big priority and you cant rush.

Any new hires would have to work with the new city manager, Councilor Daniel E. Skamperle said.

You have to allow the new city manager some room to operate, he said. It is a good opportunity for him to build his own staff.

With Mr. Nelson and other council members setting a six-month goal for the city manager hire, it might not fill the economic development position this year.

Deputy Mayor Michael D. Morley said the city doesnt necessarily have to make a hire.

He proposed sharing the position with the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority and allowing one person to lead economic development for both the city and the agency.

If we paid part of his salary, there might be a way to share the position with the Bridge and Port, he said. It just seems reasonable and logical that the state would fund some of that and consider shared services between municipalities and agencies. I know they are paying out for agencies and communities that are sharing services.

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